Canada Extends Innovation Stream Work Permits: What You Need to Know

The Innovation Stream, which provides employer-specific work permits to high-skilled foreign nationals, has been extended for an additional two years.

Under this program, foreign nationals can secure work permits without the need for Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs).

Eligibility for Innovation Stream Work Permits

Innovation Stream work permits are available to foreign nationals with job offers from employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP). Currently, eight companies are part of this initiative:

  • Ada Support Inc.
  • AlayaCare
  • CellCarta
  • Clarius Mobile Health
  • Clio
  • Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG)
  • Lightspeed Commerce
  • Vive Crop Protection

To qualify for the work permit, foreign nationals must have a job offer in a high-skilled occupation from one of the participating employers. The job offer must fall under specific categories of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) System.

If the foreign national works in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or in a qualifying TEER 2 or 3 occupation, their spouse may be eligible for a spousal open work permit.

The Innovation Stream will be operational until March 22, 2028, as per a recent program delivery update.

Benefits of LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) are not required for Innovation Stream work permits. LMIAs assess the impact of hiring foreign workers on the Canadian labor market and are mandatory for work permit applications through Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).